Painting Nostalgia: Public Murals Recreate A City That No Longer Exists

New York City, Featured

 

“My work nowadays is based on the use of old images of the cities I am painting. I visit museums, check the books and from there I come up with some images from the 20s or the 30s that show the architecture of the city. The idea of the murals is to recreate a city that no longer exists, so people who didn’t live in that time can see it and those who did live back then can have a moment of memory or nostalgia.” – Eduardo Kobra

Whenever I visit a town, I find myself seeking out neighborhoods with street art. I love how these communities are being changed with creativity, in my view made to look more beautiful. The artists make the cities their canvas. I explored two such cities recently on a Florida trip, Sarasota and Gainesville. First up, Sarasota.

sarasota public art

"Say Cheese!" by Anat Ronen {2011 Sarasota, Florida}

“Say Cheese!” by Anat Ronen {2011 Sarasota, Florida}

 

Mural by KOBRA in Sarasota, Florida

Mural by KOBRA in Sarasota, Florida

 

you may remember ...

The famous artist Eduardo Kobra, quoted above about his process of finding old photographs and painting them on present buildings, also painted the car you see above in Sarasota. His recreation of  the famous 1945 photo that marked the end of World War II, below in Chelsea is absolutely my favorite mural in New York City, I blogged about it and others here. Well, it was my favorite until I was walking on the High Line last month and realized that this surface is bare. Nada. Nothing there. How could they? I hope they are planning to add more art work.

 

Highline with mural by KOBRA

The High Line with mural by KOBRA

 

gainesville public art

 

Mural by Carrie Wachter Martinez {Gainesville, Florida} 716 N. Main Street

Mural by Carrie Wachter Martinez {Gainesville, Florida} 716 N. Main Street

 

Closeup of the hair :: Mural by Carrie Wachter Martinez {Gainesville, Florida} 716 N. Main Street

Closeup of the hair :: Mural by Carrie Wachter Martinez {Gainesville, Florida} 716 N. Main Street

 

At a glance :: Mural by Carrie Wachter Martinez {Gainesville, Florida} 716 N. Main Street

At a glance :: Mural by Carrie Wachter Martinez {Gainesville, Florida} 716 N. Main Street

 

Miami street artist Axel Void painted a postcard view of downtown {Gainesville, Florida}

Miami street artist Axel Void painted a postcard view of downtown {Gainesville, Florida}

 

A mural by Axel Void "C10H15N" {Gainesville, Florida}

A mural by Axel Void “C10H15N” {Gainesville, Florida}

 

Reggie O'Neal (L.E.O.) painted this as tribute to slain teenager Richard Hallman

Reggie O’Neal (L.E.O.) painted this as tribute to slain teenager Richard Hallman. Hallman’s cousin played football for U of Florida

 

Muralist and designer Evoca1 based in Miami "Juvenile Souvenirs" {Gainesville, Florida}

Muralist and designer Evoca1 based in Miami “Juvenile Souvenirs” {Gainesville, Florida}

 

SW Depot Avenue wall mural {Gainesville, Florida}

SW Depot Avenue wall mural {Gainesville, Florida}

 

SW Depot Avenue wall mural {Gainesville, Florida}

Steve in front of the SW Depot Avenue wall mural {Gainesville, Florida}

 
 
 

For more information on street art in Gainesville, Florida you may learn something from these links:

Check out GainesvilleDowntown.com and read more here.

GainesvilleArtScene.com

 

 

Many of the photographs you see in my blog posts are for sale in my online store. You might just be looking for some color or black and white images for your walls. Or think about gift giving. I take such special care in this creation, delivered in a lovely box.

All photographs are taken by me, unless I have noted otherwise in the caption. I use my Canon 5D III and the iPhone 6+.

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7 responses to “Painting Nostalgia: Public Murals Recreate A City That No Longer Exists”

  1. Raffie, Phil & Jimmy! says:

    Really cool murals Nancy! Especially Kobra’s vintage images. That was a really cool approach. Must be interesting to see different types of street art in different cities. Im sure each has its own style and differs from the next in some way. Always nice to see your photos of street art! Keep up the awesome work 😉

  2. Janet Chin-See says:

    Wonderful pictures as usual Nancy. I appreciate your work in opening up our eyes to the stories behind these beautiful murals and also their talented creators.

  3. This reminds me of all the sign painters I met this January at the Pentaculum. You might enjoy this documentary Moon: http://www.signpaintersfilm.com/#watch. The stories behind the people who paint on buildings is fascinating to me. Did you know that Philly is the city of murals? I didn’t until recently. So beautiful! xoS

    • Nancy Moon says:

      oh Suzi. this movie trailer looks fabulous, who knew. I love this artform so much! I didn’t know Philly was the city of murals, I would have thought it was NYC. PS I navigated around your site again today, it flows so beautifully and you know so many creatives. Love, Moon

  4. Nancy says:

    I need people like you in my life to open my eyes to the art around me. Thank you Nancy Moon —